Kibale Forest National Park, in Western Uganda, an incredibly diverse forest that is home to over 13 species of primates, including chimpanzee, red Colobus monkey, the rare L’Hoest monkey, blue monkey, gray-cheeked mangabey, black-faced vervet monkeys, baboons, pottos, and bush babies. Cleverly constructed boardwalks lead you through Papyrus that towers above your head in the Bigodi Wetlands Sanctuary, a few minutes drive from Kibale Forest.
On your arrival at Entebbe International Airport, you will be met by your driver/ Safaris guide who will greet you and transfer you to your hotel, taking between 15 minutes to 40 minutes, depending on traffic.
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This morning we will depart for Fort Portal and explore the area around the base of the Rwenzori Mountains. Later we drive to Kibale Forest National Park, in Western Uganda, an incredibly diverse forest that is home to over 13 species of primates including chimpanzee, red Colobus monkey, the rare L’Hoest monkey, blue monkey, grey-cheeked mangabey, black-faced vervet monkeys, baboons, pottos and bush babies. Cleverly constructed boardwalks lead you through Papyrus that towers above your head in Bigodi Wetlands Sanctuary, a few minutes drive from Kibale Forest. With over 130 bird species, multicolored butterflies, eight different types of primates, and the rare, semi-aquatic Sitatunga (antelope), this is community tourism at its best.
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After breakfast, it’s an early start to report to the ranger headquarters at 8 am in Kibale Forest National Park to track habituated Chimps. These engaging apes, our closest living relative, are great fun to watch as they play and fight in the fruiting trees. Your experienced guides will introduce you to the different members of the chimp families, as well as the birds and plant life of the forest. The trails through the forest are generally easy to navigate and you will always be accompanied by Rangers.
The elusive forest elephant, smaller and hairier than its savannah counterpart, moves seasonally into areas of Kibale Forest. Occasionally other large mammals such as buffalo, giant forest hog, and numerous antelope species can also be seen. Birders will be on the lookout for an incredible list of 335 bird species. Butterfly lovers and botanists will be impressed by equally long lists of rare and endemic forest species.
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On day four, your driver will take you via Kasese towards Queen Elizabeth National Park, set on the floor of the Rift Valley, with the (occasionally visible peaks of the) Rwenzori Mountains behind you. The landscape of northern Queen Elizabeth comprises dozens of ancient craters carved into gently rolling hills. The Kazinga Channel lies in central Queen Elizabeth, its banks fertile with large mammals such as hippo, elephant, and buffalo and over 600 bird species, more than any other national park in Uganda.
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Today start your day early. Wake up at 6:00 am and take your coffee or tea to be ready for your early morning game drive. Make sure to request from the hotel staff for a packed breakfast. A popular route for the game drive in the Kasenyi sector, well-known for its lions that prey on Queen Elizabeth’s large population of Uganda Kob (antelope). If you are very lucky, you may spot a Giant Forest Hog, Africa’s largest pig. Keep your eyes peeled to spot an elusive leopard!
After your safari, you will head back to the lodge for a few hours of relaxation by the pool and lunch.
In the afternoon, you will take a boat for a water safari on the Kazinga Channel at Mweyathat connects the two lakes of Edward and George. This is likely to be a big highlight of your trip! The expert Uganda Wildlife Authority guides will identify many of the Channel’s 100 bird species and you’re likely to see African Skimmers, Great White Pelicans, Spoonbill, and several Bee-eater species. Hippos wallow at the edge of the water, huge Nile crocodiles bask in the sun and elephants come down to drink.
The Kazinga Channel boat ride is a brilliant opportunity to take some close-up wildlife shots.
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Today we will depart for Bwindi Impenetrable Forest with an ‘en-route game drive’ passing through Ishasha, the remote, southern sector of Queen Elizabeth National Park. It is on the expansive plains of Ishasha that you will be on the lookout for its famous resident: the tree-climbing lion. A sighting is not guaranteed but you have a better chance of seeing them here in the large low limbed fig trees of Ishasha than anywhere else in Africa.
Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park is a UNESCO Natural World Heritage site and one of the richest biological and botanical regions in the world. The forest covers an area of 331 km² at the south-western edge of the western Rift Valley. Bwindi’s most-revered species are the approximately 400 wild Mountain Gorillas (2011 census) that make up half of the world population of these gentle apes.
After a few hours in the vehicle, you may enjoy an afternoon walk around the village of Buhoma is your home for two nights, and a chance to visit one of the handicraft shops or to meet the Batwa, the ancient forest-dwelling tribe.
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You will be up early on the morning of your Gorilla Trekking for a good breakfast in preparation for the day’s physical activity. You will report for registration at the Uganda Wildlife Authority ranger station. After a briefing by the rangers, your gorilla trek will start. The trek usually takes between three and six hours so a reasonable degree of fitness is required, as well as a strong pair of walking boots or shoes.
The rangers will guide you through the village gardens and into the jungle-like forest. They will escort you through the sometimes thick bush, occasionally hacking the dense undergrowth with a machete as you search to locate the gorillas. The mountain gorillas are under 24-hour monitoring for their safety, so you’re almost guaranteed to see them. The rangers monitor each gorilla family by keeping in close radio contact.
In part due to gorilla tourism, the population of gorillas is slowly increasing, but the species remains critically endangered. Gorillas and humans share almost identical genetic material and their health must not be compromised by coming into contact with human diseases (via our food, for example). To reduce transmission of disease from humans to gorillas, you will also be advised to keep a distance of 7 meters from the gorillas.
Once you have located the gorilla family, you will be asked to leave all your belongings to one side, and approach the gentle giants, just with your camera. The guides will interpret the animals’ behavior and advise on what you are watching. Females and their young, young males and even a dominant Silverback may be seen feeding, playing, interacting with each other, or just sleeping! You will never forget your encounter with the gorillas. They will be quite curious to see you! You are allowed exactly one hour with the gorillas before returning to base.
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After breakfast, we start our journey back towards Entebbe International Airport, stopping for a picnic lunch and a fun photo opportunity at the Equator. A day room will be organized for you to shower and change in Entebbe. After a farewell dinner, your Around Africa Safaris guide will transfer you to Entebbe International Airport for your outbound flight.
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Price per person in double occupancy
The rate is based on luxury accommodation
Price excluding international flights
This trip is customizable for your private travel.
Please inquire to request a quote for your custom trip!
